Ventilator

ABSTRACT

The invention refers to a new type of ventilator, which can be operated from either mains power, an internal, or an external battery supply ( 2, 4, 8, 9 ), which in addition to an integral compressor ( 6 ), valves and sensors ( 3 ), is also equipped with an embedded web server ( 5 ), which can be connected to external monitoring devices.

[0001] The invention refers to a ventilator according to the genericterm of claim no. 1.

STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Ventilators and other respiratory support devices are used toeither ventilate patients who have breathing difficulties or aninability to breath on their own, or they are used as gas mixing devicesto condition the delivery and the gas mixture inhaled by a patient. Theytherefore have gas connections, valves and controls for the valves, tocreate appropriate gas mixtures to deliver into the patient's breathingcircuit, airways, and lungs.

[0003] The applicants have put one of the most modern and highlydeveloped ventilators in existence on the market bearing the nameINSPIRATION. This well-known device and variations of the same have beenplaced under protection as described by the published PCT patentapplication WO-A-00/59566.

[0004] Ventilators are often operated automatically and are routinelychecked by care staff. Critically ill patients are additionallymonitored by pulse, cardiac and blood pressure equipment to ensure thatany critical situations are recognized in good time and action can betaken. Video surveillance, or similar methods, may also be used. Howeverthese widely used methods tend to concentrate on displaying theresultant external effects to the patient of a malfunction in theventilator or a problem in the patient's breathing.

[0005] In contrast to this, the invention aims to find a way to be ableto check the ventilator's performance, or the breathing performance ofthe patient being treated by the ventilator, directly on the device andin real time.

[0006] This task is solved by integrating additional sensors and/ortapping into the existing sensors in the ventilator using an embeddedweb server, which can be output to external monitors via an Ethernetoutput, via a data-only connection and/or via the Internet, allowing thecurrent ventilator and patient status to be directly polled orpermanently observed at any time.

[0007] The embedded web server has it's own computer. It comes preloadedwith a software program, which can be used to display a homepage via anexternal data connection, which permits viewing of, and alteration tothe functions and performance parameters of the ventilator.

[0008] A device equipped in this manner therefore offers improvedpatient safety. At the same time, staffing requirements can be reduced,as the monitoring can also take place from more remote locations andstaff need only be called upon in an emergency.

[0009] The invention is specially designed to include a GSM or UMTSconnection and appropriate send/receive unit in the embedded web server,so that monitoring is not dependent on a cable network. This is ofparticular benefit if the ventilator, equipped in this preferred way, isalso to be operated by battery, independent of mains power (pleasecompare the details given on this in the applicant's WO-A mentioned).

[0010] To achieve complete electrical self-sufficiency, where allelectrically operated parts, which also includes the internal gascompressor, the electronics and the send/receive equipment, can besupplied with power from an internal battery. This battery shouldideally be the main source of energy and should only be given a constantmains boost or charge via a charger where a mains feed is available.With this invention, disconnecting from the mains supply will nottherefore interrupt ventilation or ventilation monitoring in any way.

[0011] An integrated charger, as well as supplementary connections asappropriate, are preferably available, as detailed in the WO-A. Nofurther details shall therefore be given here, as the expert can referto the WO-A for all relevant information.

[0012] The ventilator also includes special, new and independentlyapplicable software, which allows forced sigh ventilation to be set forany interval and any pressure and/or volume value. Sigh ventilation ofthis sort can therefore be optimally monitored, varied or deactivatedfrom a distance.

[0013] The invention includes the provision of generally known passwordsand software-supported access controls in the embedded web server forall device interventions.

DESCRIPTION OF A SAMPLE PREFERRED DESIGN

[0014] The figure describes a sample preferred design for the inventionas a block diagram. It provides an example and is not restrictive.

[0015] The attached list of components, as well as the technicalinformation contained in the patent claims, form part of the descriptiondisclosed herein. Additional benefits and features of the invention, aswell as additional preferred formations, arise from the description ofthe figure.

[0016] The functionality and design of the preferred sample design canbe seen in the block diagram: on the input side you will see the gasconnections 1, as well as the compressor input, compressed air input,ventilation gas input, e.g. for oxygen and any therapy gas required,e.g. for NO. The inputs are sited on a block, which is found within thehousing 7. Also inside the housing 7 you will find a compressor 6 withcontrollable valves or similar, and a control system for this. Housing 7also contains measuring sensors 3, which are connected to control system2 or their own control system 4.

[0017] Finally, the invention includes a new embedded web server 5inside the housing 7, which also has a control system 8. It communicateswith control systems 2 and 4 to exchange and make available any relevantinformation.

[0018] Data outputs 9 and 10 are connected to the embedded web server 5or its control system 8. On the one hand, they provide connection to adata network (e.g. telephone network or internal company Ethernet)and/or connection to a GSM or UMTS network.

[0019] On the input side, the device has a power connection 11, which isconnected inside the housing 7 to power storage devices (e.g. storagebatteries), which are not shown in more detail.

[0020] On the output side, patient connections 12 are indicated, whichrepresent on the one hand the ventilation gas supply, but on the otherhand are also measuring lines leading to the patient's mouthpiece and/orto the patient or to sensors, which are attached to the patient, as isgenerally understood.

[0021] For details on the possible design of a device complying withthis invention, please refer to the applicant's WO-A, in particular thefigures and description of figures, which applies as if it weredisclosed herein.

List of Components

[0022]1 Gas connections

[0023]2 Control system

[0024]3 Measuring sensors

[0025]4 Control system

[0026]5 Embedded web server

[0027]6 Compressor

[0028]7 Housing

[0029]8 Control system

[0030]9 Data output to a cable network

[0031]10 Data output to GSM, UMTS, or similar

[0032]11 Power connection

[0033]12 Patient connections

[0034]13 Monitor

[0035]19 Power connection

[0036]20 Receiver

1. A ventilator, comprising: a housing, gas connections, at least onecontrolled valve, at least one controlled compressor and at least onepatient connection, wherein at least one of the control systems isconnected to an embedded web server, which provides a connection to anexternal monitor via at least one data output.
 2. A ventilator asdescribed in claim 1, wherein the data output includes send/receiveequipment, which is connectable to either an Ethernet, and/or radio GSMand/or UMTS networks.
 3. A ventilator as described in claim 1, whereinthe embedded web server is equipped with software, operable to causeventilator functions, monitored patient data, including graphical loopsand waveforms, and settings to be displayed on a website, and to permitthese functions and settings to be called up and altered via thewebsite.
 4. A ventilator as described in claim 3, wherein access to theserver or website is protected by both password and hardware encryption.5. A ventilator as described in claim 1, wherein sensor measurementsfrom sensors at the patent can be interfaced to the embedded web servervia the patient connection.
 6. A ventilator as described in claim 1,further comprising an internal power supply, including a storage batterylocated inside the housing and coupled to the electrical controlsystems, and the compressor, and the embedded web server, wherein theinput of the power supply is connected to an output of at least oneintegrated charger, and the charger receives its input from at least twodifferent sources of power feed.
 7. A ventilator as described in claim3, wherein the control system has software that is operable to permitsigh ventilation to be set and monitored for a patient using any timeintervals and any pressures and/or volume values, and to permitadjustments thereof via the website.
 8. A ventilator as described inclaim 2, wherein the operating software of the ventilator can bedownloaded and updated via the send/receive equipment.
 9. A ventilatoras described in claim 1, wherein diagnostic and service data can beviewed and managed remotely via a website of an embedded web server. 10.A ventilator as described in claim 1, wherein software provides aprogram that permits the ventilator, via the embedded web server, toemail a service technician when preventive maintenance or repairs arerequired.
 11. A ventilator as described in claim 1, wherein: theembedded web server is operable to maintain a website, and the controlsystem has software that is operable to permit sigh ventilation to beset, monitored and adjusted via the website for a patient using any timeintervals and any pressures and/or volume values.
 12. A ventilator asdescribed in claim 1, wherein the embedded web server is operable tomaintain a website, and at least one of the controlled valve and thecontrolled compressor may be at least partially controlled via thewebsite.
 13. A ventilator as described in claim 1, wherein the embeddedweb server is operable to maintain a website, and at least some patientdata obtained via the patient connection is available via the website.14. A ventilator as described in claim 1, wherein the embedded webserver is operable to maintain a website, and at least some dataconcerning ventilator functions or settings is available via thewebsite.